Customs hits hard at plant, animal smugglers

China seized 358 metric tons of endangered plants and animal parts, including ivory and rhinoceros horns, in 160 cases between January and November, up 7 percent year-on-year, the General Administration of Customs said on Thursday.

Yu Guangzhou, minister of the GAC, said customs has launched five operations this year to fight the smuggling of endangered species, agricultural products, dutiable goods such as alcohol and cigarettes, hazardous waste, and drugs and guns. The operations aim to maintain a tough posture against smuggling to ensure national security, Yu said.

Customs in Xiamen, Fujian province, intercepted 118.8 kilograms of ivory in September that was labeled by smugglers as sandalwood.